Farscape’s Most Annoying Character Was The Victim Of Flanderization

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 2 seconds ago

Farscape is full of interesting characters. The series is centered on the only human in the galaxy, John Crichton (Ben Browder), but the ensemble cast is what turned it into a fan favorite for nearly 30 years and counting. Yet one of them, the insane Stark (Paul Goddard) is widely considered to be the worst of the bunch. He’s not supposed to be liked, but then again, it feels like over time the writers forgot his insanity was supposed to be an act and not his primary character trait. 

Stark’s Insanity Was Supposed To Be Fake…ish

The trope of a character going from having one quirky personality trait to becoming dumber and more one-note over time has been dubbed, “Flanderization,” after Ned Flanders on The Simpsons. Flanders started out as the complete opposite of Homer Simpson, but over time, his religious traits became more and more prominent, overpowering everything else. That’s the case with Stark, who had a few amusing moments while crazy in the prison cell with Crichton, “My side, your side! My side, your side!,” but by Season 3, was a completely different character. 

Stark has a fascinating background with his standout metal mask hiding his true nature: lift the mask, and it reveals pure energy, which Stark uses to help people ease their suffering, including “crossing over” to the other side. In the process, they leave a part of their soul behind with him, that includes knowledge and emotions. No wonder he’s unbalanced. 

Stark Got Worse Every Season

The problem is that during his initial appearance, Stark confesses to Crichton that he’s pretending to be insane in order to keep Scorpius (Wayne Pygram) uninterested in him. Stark was even able to craft a key to escape the cell deep within the secret Peacekeeper base. Compare that to Season 3, and it’s almost two different characters. 

After the death of Zhaan in Season 3 Stark becomes significantly unhinged. His once cute ranting in the prison cell becomes a regular cadence when he speaks, “You, dead. Me, dead. You, dead. Me, dead,” “Time’s up. Game’s on. Good luck.” He has his moments of lucidity, but generally once he’s on screen, he’s shouting. 

Willing To Doom The Universe For Religion

During Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, Stark, like Flanders, holds onto his religious beliefs so strongly that he’s willing to doom the universe because of them. When the last holder of the Eidelon’s power passes away, Stark resists helping him pass over, and thus, acquiring the part of his soul that contains the ancient teachings. It’s on the same level as Star-Lord messing with the removal of Thanos glove, except here, Crichton and Aeryn Sun are able to convince him to do the right thing. 

Farscape is an exceptionally well-written series with strong characterizations throughout, that for the most part, avoids the trap of one-note characters. Even Pilot is given a tragic background. Stark, despite appearing in every season, devolves over time, and his final moment is more of a relief than a triumph. Jool develops and changes more over time, positively that is, than Stark, and she’s the second most-hated member of the crew. Stark had potential, and while he’s irritating, on any other sho he’d be a highlight, but the bar is so high on Farscape that someone was going to be left behind.

You can stream Farscape for free on Tubi.